This study focuses on the Barind tract, a drought prone area situated in the north-west region of Bangladesh where inadequate rainfall and limited surface water have created high dependence on groundwater for irrigation and other purposes, leading to significant declines in groundwater level. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) offers a potential solution to restore groundwater levels. This study sets out to identify the opportunities and challenges for implementing MAR in the Barind tract. To accomplish this aim, different data sets including bore log lithology, rainfall, groundwater levels, information about re-excavated ponds, dighis, kharies, beels, check dams, rubber dams, dug wells and other necessary information were collected from the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and other sources and analyzed. Major opportunities for MAR are identified for about 2000 km of re-excavated kharies (canals) containing about 750 check dams, more than 3000 re-excavated ponds, a number of beels (comparatively large marshes) and other water bodies which are used to conserve runoff storm water for supplementary irrigation. The conserved water can be used for groundwater recharge and subsequently abstracted for irrigation. Furthermore, roof-top rain water from buildings can also be used for groundwater recharge purposes. In contrast, the major challenges include the high turbidity of storm water runoff leading to clogging of MAR structures, inadequacy of conventional direct surface methods of recharge due to the presence of a 15 m or more thick upper clay layer with limited percolation capacity, and lack of practical knowledge on MAR. Therefore, overcoming the challenges for MAR application is a prerequisite to maximize the opportunities from MAR that can support the sustainable use of groundwater resources.

Irrigated agriculture has been playing a vital role for the growth in crop production in Bangladesh. Minor irrigation comprising of shallow tubewells (STWs), deep tubewells (DTWs), hand tubewells (HTWs) and low-lift pumps (LLPs) is a major irrigation system in the country. Poor performance of irrigation is an issue for the expansion of irrigated area. The present study was carried out to examine the conveyance efficiency and rate of irrigation water loss in DTW schemes in Bogra, Thakurgaon and Godagari zones of Barind Management Development Authority. There were various types of water distribution identified in these schemes with including Poly Venyl Chloride (PVC) buried pipe, cement concrete (CC) rectangular, Ferro trapezoidal, Ferro semicircular and rectangular earth drain. The average conveyance efficiency of PVC buried pipe for Bogra, Thakurgaon and Godagari zones ranged from 94.46% to 95.37% and rate of water loss ranged from 5.45% to 9.55% in three study zones. Average conveyance efficiency of CC rectangular for Bogra and Godagari zone ranged from 91.20% and rate of water loss from 6.58% to 9.93%. Average conveyance efficiency of Ferro trapezoid for Bogra and Godagari zone ranged from 87.80% to 90.06% and rate of water loss ranged from 9.94% to 12.21%. Average conveyance efficiency of Ferro semicircle for Bogra and Godagari zone ranged between 88.13% and 86.82% and rate of water loss between 11.59% and 11.68%. Average conveyance efficiency and rate of water loss of rectangular earth drain Godagari zone was 58.66% and 42.29% respectively. About 80% farmers recommended buried pipe irrigation system and about 20% semi-circular channel. The study suggests that the improved water distribution system as developed by BMDA is sustainable to increase productivity of irrigation systems in Bangladesh.